January 2010 Archives

By: Belinda Chang

Growing up in Los Angeles meant I never had to worry about changing my skincare routine by the seasons. That all changed when I moved to Pittsburgh (Humid, cold winters), then to New York (freezing cold winter coupled with harsh heater dryness), and now in my current residence in Nashville (blustery cold winter). Don't let the reference to the "South" fool you, Nashville can be bone chilling and your skin can get a beating! However, just as buying winter coats can be fun, so can investigating different skin products to save you from feeling like Leather Face. Below, some skin care creams and more that I've discovered to actually work for my very dry, winter skin.

Skin Food by Weleda
Food nourishes and replenishes the body, and that's exactly what Skin Food by Weleda does for the skin! My skin at least. Truly, this is a wonder cream with key ingredients like Biodynamic Calendula Flower Extract (a mildly antiseptic emollient that heals and soothes), Organic Chamomile Flower Extract (aids in skin repair) and Organic Pansy Extract (helps to reduce redness and inflammation). This 100%, natural skin care product literally "feeds and nourishes" your skin. The result is noticeably softer, smoother skin. And no joke, it actually does aid in skin repair--I've used it on my dry, cracked skin, as well as my paper cuts. I swear the healing happens much faster, with less pain.
For more information visit: www.target.com

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
If it's good enough for an expedition team that scales icy glaciers, it's probably good enough for me. The consistency of this cream is rich, but light, moisturizing, yet not greasy. It goes on so smoothly that I must say, this is the first cream that I've actually wanted to continue spreading from my face down to my neck and décolletage. As the packaging says, it offers continuous moisturization. Unfortunately, it's not my ideal day cream because it doesn't contain SPF, but that won't stop me from using it. After all, I can just slather on a sun block cream over it and call it a day...a moisturizing day.
For more information visit: www.kiehls.com

Palmer's Cocoa Butter
After a few weeks of wintery weather, I like to treat my face to a nice, overnight hydration treatment. Fortunately for my wallet, that treatment consists of just slathering on some Palmer's Cocoa Butter and going to bed. Bonus? It has a mild scent of chocolate and cookies (kind of nice when you crawl into bed next to your honey. You know what they say, "the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and this lotion makes him dream of cookies). Not to mention, it's also great to carry on planes to rehydrate after a long flight.
For more information visit: www.etbrowne.com

LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub
I need to hug the woman that created this scrumptious sugar scrub. Just as the packaging states, there's no oily mess, no re-mixing, this is a dry sugar scrub that exfoliates, conditions and moisturizes the skin. Though sugar scrubs in general can be messy, I don't mind it at all. This great product comes in nine delicious scents. I tried Island Guava and the scent truly makes me feel like I am showering in the midst of guava trees in Hawaii! Delectable! I can't wait to try the other scents. I'll be sure to use this sugar scrub year round.
For more information visit: www.lalicious.com

Do you remember your favorite beauty products from the 80s and 90s? I do. I was obsessed with a little known store (at the time) called The Body Shop. The creator was a cool, woman entrepreneur, the company promoted social responsibility, and I just couldn't get enough of the Banana Shampoo/Conditioner and the Mango Body Butter.

Plus, I looked forward to getting the catalog in the mail (yes, that's how we shopped for our products back then). At the time, there was nothing else like it.
Which is why it was sad to eventually see some of my favorite The Body Shop products slowly disappear from the store's shelves. I get it--new day, new time, but still? What about the good times?

That's why I'm VERY excited for the brand's newest product line, or should I say, oldest--The Body Shop's Originals!

Not only can I now pick up a bottle of the Banana shampoo, but I can also get Dewberry Body Lotion, Cucumber Cleansing Milk, and lots of my other favorites. It's like I'm in a time warp--they're even using retro packing!

Now if they could only bring back the original formula for their Mango Body Butter, I could smell like bananas AND walk around with shiny 80's legs.

Check out The Originals at TheBodyShop.com.

I can't tell you what my natural hair color is because I've been dyeing it since I was in middle school. And with good reason, whether it's a new, bold change or even just a simple rinse, dying your hair can make you feel like a new person. The only problem is--it can be a pain to make that new found shine and brilliance last much longer than a month...unless you have a great shampoo and conditioner. Below, some suggestions of brands that I tried in 2009. Give them a shot and let us know what you think!

Aquage SeaExtend Silkening Shampoo and Conditioner
www.aquage.com
The Aquage SeaExtend line uses botanical blends to seal in the hair cuticle and lock in hair color, which I thought worked pretty well. My hair color didn't last longer than usual, but it definitely didn't wash out quickly either. My hair was shiny, and bonus--the line creates a heat-activated shield so your hair doesn't dry out when you blow dry or use heat styling tools.

John Frieda Root Awakening® Strength Restoring ™Shampoo and Conditioner
www.johnfrieda.com
It's not too often that I pick up shampoo and conditioner from a drugstore (okay, so I'm spoiled), but I'm really glad I stumbled across the John Frieda Root Awakening line recently. The product gets a big thumbs up because they use just enough eucalyptus to wake you up in the morning--not too much, just enough. It cleans your hair well, the scent is nice, and the conditioner is great for unruly hair like mine. I opted for Strength Restoring, but there's also Health Infusing for normal hair and Nourishing Moisture for dry hair. Best of all, the formulas are safe on color-treated hair.

Rahua Organic Shampoo and Conditioner by Amazon Beauty
www.shop.amazonbeautysecret.com
A great shampoo and conditioner for those who like to use products that contain 100% natural ingredients. The scent is light, my hair felt smooth without feeling heavy, and my color lasted pretty well.

Phytonectar Shampooing and Phytokarite Mask for Ultra-Dry Hair
www.drugstore.com
Fans of Phyto products are very loyal and understandably so. Upon first use of the Phytonectar Shampooing formula, I noticed that it didn't lather quickly--which is a good thing. It means it doesn't contain sulphate or other ingredients that are actually bad for your hair. The scent is nice because it's light and is the essence of the ingredients it's made with. Same with the Phytokarite Mask--different scent from the shampoo, but only because it has different ingredients to make it effective. I coated my hair with it and left it on for 5 minutes. Once rinsed, my hair felt smooth and clean. (Free Beauty Samples members got to try these products in our November mailing!)